New Melksham floats to go on parade

The organisers of the Melksham Carnival have promised some surprises in store for this year’s procession, which will lead through the town tomorrow.

Preparations for the town’s largest free event started almost immediately after last year’s carnival, with a team of volunteers working through the year to get things ready.

Carnival secretary Beth Dark said this year’s parade would feature several new additions.

She said: “We have some organisations that have never entertained the idea of taking part.

“We heard a whisper that Melksham Oak School wanted to put in a float, and apparently they have a big float and a walking group to go along.

“It’s probably going to be about 50 people, with music and dancing as they go.”

The procession will start at 6pm at the Cooper Tires car park, leading along Pembroke Road before parading back up the High Street.

This year will see the crowning of the town’s first Queen of Queens Marina Skuse, who was selected from previous holders for the new role, and will join this year’s Queen, 18-year-old Lauren Clark, for the parade.

Ms Dark said: “Marina is absolutely amazing; she’s such a wonderful person, so community spirited, so she was the obvious choice.

“There are lots of other things we want to surprise people with, and there’s lots which should wow the crowds. We have bands and music and our beautiful baton twirlers, but we have a couple of little tricks up our sleeve.

“We’re hoping it will get people involved. We want people to like what they see and want to get involved again in the future.”

Before the carnival procession, the Party in the Park festival will get under way at the King George V Playing Field at 1pm, with live music then continuing until 11pm.